Lawyer may decide on village land

Plans to turn a patch of land in a south Shropshire town into a village green could go before a barrister who would act as an independent inspector, it emerged today.

The application to register the land, which is known as Ashbrook Fields in Church Stretton, will come under discussion during an interim regulatory meeting on Friday at Shirehall in Shrewsbury.

The plan was submitted by resident John Hughes who claimed the land has been used for 20 years by residents.

He said: "If the land has been used for a period of 20 years for general activities it is possible for land to be used as a village green.

"A number of local residents have said that over those years they have used the land intermittently."

In order for a piece of land to be declared a village green applicants must prove that it has been used by residents to play lawful sports and pastimes and they have continued to do so for a number of years.

Mr Hughes, of Lawley Close, submitted more than 40 brief evidence questionnaires completed by residents to back up his application.

However, in a consultation document prepared by Vivian Chapman QC, for Shropshire Council, it was revealed that an objection was submitted on behalf of Shropshire Housing Association.

The principal point, which was taken by the objectors was that the application land has not been used for recreation by a significant number of residents for 20 years.

Mr Chapman recommended that the application goes before a professional inspector rather than a committee of members.